Alleged N12B fraud: EFCC quizzes Kogi speaker, SSG, 4 others

Anti-graft operatives at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday interrogated six top officials of the Kogi State government including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Clarence Olufemi.

Also quizzed at the commission’s head office in Abuja, in a rigorous session, which lasted several hours, were the Head of Service, the state Accountant General, and the commissioners for Finance and Works. The six officials, who had earlier been invited to appear before the anti-graft agency, are being questioned on their roles in an alleged misappropriation of N12 billion.

EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed their invitation and interrogation, did not give further details. However, Daily Sun reliably gathered that the six top government functionaries were invited over a petition written by the Kogi State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), alleging massive fraud and misappropriation of about N12 billion public funds.

“Yes, it is true that we invited the six officials of the Kogi State government to our Abuja headquarters for explanations over alleged misappropriation of a huge sum of money. As I speak with you, they are under interrogation. They would have to tell us all they know about the alleged funds,” a senior officer at the EFCC who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun.

At press time, the six officials were still being held, even as sources close to the commission said at the end of interrogation, only those with weak cases might be allowed to return to their homes, while others with strong cases against them would be detained and possible arraigned in court.